Know the Common Types of Florida Truck Accidents

You may hear it on the news all the time - a truck jackknifed on I-75 causing a 2-hour backup, an underride accident on I-4 resulted in a double fatality. But what exactly do these types of accidents mean?

Most drivers know what a rollover crash and head-on collision are, but there are 3 other types of common truck accidents that occur that aren't so clearly defined.

A jackknife accident is when the truck suddenly brakes, causing the cab of the truck to fold back upon itself, becoming almost parallel with the trailer. The driver usually has little control over the vehicle at this point and a jackknife accident almost always results in a rollover.

When a truck is involved in an underride accident this means that a smaller vehicle ends up running underneath a larger truck. This can occur due to the truck needing to abruptly stop when a smaller vehicle is traveling too close behind. Because the bottom of a typical tractor-trailer is often at head-level for passengers in a standard vehicle, this type of accident has a high fatality rate.

An override accident is similar, except that in this case the truck runs over the smaller vehicle. This can be due to the smaller vehicle traveling in the truck driver's blind spot and the driver's negligence to check before making a lane change or similar maneuver. Again, because the smaller vehicle ends up under the truck, the results can be deadly.

If you were injured in a Florida truck accident and are thinking of filing a personal injury claim, it's important to have a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney on your side, as the insurance companies representing the truck driver or their employer, will vigorously fight against your right to fair compensation.  

You can learn more about common types of Florida truck accidents by visiting our article library. 

Contacting a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer

When you are faced with medical bills, lost income and suffering after a serious injury you don't need to worry alone. The Law Offices of William K. Saron, P.A. offers clients a FREE copy of our book, Your Guide to Accident Claims in Florida: Don't Wreck Your Injury Case. For personal attention to your accident claim and the needs of you and your family, contact us at 727-345-4566 or 1-866-836-4947.